Now, when nesting season rolls around, it’s especially important for everyone on the beach to play their part. That means keep things dark, turn off or shield lights so hatchlings don’t get confused. Pick up your stuff, whether it’s chairs, umbrellas, or kids’ toys, so turtles don’t get blocked on their way to or from their nests. And don’t forget to smooth out any holes or sandcastles, since those can trap tiny hatchlings.

If you’re lucky enough to spot turtles, remember: no flashlights, no flash photos, and give them plenty of space.

Loggerheads, at about three feet long and over 275 pounds, are the regulars here. Greens can reach up to 500 pounds thanks to their hefty shells. Kemp’s Ridleys are the rarest and smallest, barely hitting the 100-pound mark. Then there’s the Leatherback: these massive turtles can grow to seven feet and weigh up to 2,000 pounds.

When cold snaps hit, sea turtles sometimes need help. Organizations like the Audubon Institute step in to rehabilitate them, getting them back to the Gulf where they belong. So, whether you live here or you’re just visiting, you’ve got a role to play in keeping Florida’s beaches safe for these amazing creatures.

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We all remember how hurricanes Helene and Milton shook things up last year. Because of the damage, they’re moving the festival to spring, the ideal time for migration.

This year’s festival brings together Tampa Electric, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, and Hillsborough County’s Conservation and Environmental Lands teams. Together, they’re celebrating the birds, wildlife, and wild spaces.

What’s in store? Four full days of learning, adventure, and discovery. Dig into expert-led seminars, listen to keynote talks, wander through the expo, explore the field and boat trips, and support conservation at the fundraising sale.

Expert Seminars

Hear from leading naturalists and birders during two full days of talks, Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Your registration includes all seminars. Can’t catch every talk live? No worries, you’ll get access to YouTube recordings after the festival. Check the schedule and mark your must-sees.

Free Nature Expo

Meet organizations working to protect Florida’s ecosystems, browse nature art, and pick up something special to take home. The Expo is open Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and it won’t cost you a thing. Bird exhibitions soar (pun intended) into action on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Field & Boat Trips

Looking to get out in the field? Sign up for a field trip, boat ride, kayak outing, or even a wagon, van, or bus adventure from Thursday through Sunday. Many trips visit spots usually closed to the public. Prices range from $25–$60, and tickets move fast, so grab yours early. Don’t forget to check the birding checklist from their 2021 festival for a taste of what you might see.

Keynote Events

Join fellow nature lovers at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday for dinner followed by an inspiring keynote from a featured expert at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sun City Center. You don’t need to register in advance. The ticket ($40) covers both the buffet and post-event access to the keynote on YouTube. Save a little cash with the KEYNOTE SERIES ticket option.

Fundraising Sale

Support conservation by shopping our fundraising sale featuring donated items from vendors and supporters. Everything is on display during the Expo, with easy buy-it-now prices.

Lunch is available for purchase on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate Florida’s natural wonders, see old friends, and make some new ones, in the heart of spring migration.

For more information:
FLORIDA BIRDING & NATURE FESTIVAL
April 9 – 12, 2026
6650 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach
Click here to check out their website.

The post Love Florida Nature? This Southwest Florida Festival is Calling Your Name appeared first on Englewood Review.

Sixty-five members gathered for a lively luncheon on January 20 at the Waverly on Manasota Key, swapping stories and celebrating the club’s journey together. The afternoon buzzed with heartfelt speeches from longtime members who’ve helped shape ESC’s story. Charter member Marilyn Boyd took everyone down memory lane, recalling the time the group rallied around a fellow member who fell ill, dropping off meals for an entire month. “Honestly, the reason ESC has stood the test of time isn’t just because we’re the fun club,” Marilyn said. “We’re the caring club.”

ESC started back on January 23, 1996. What began as a handful of shell enthusiasts has turned into a vibrant community deeply committed to conservation, malacology, and the art of shell-crafting. “Finding seashells changed my life,” said charter member Linda Powers. “I found my niche; I found my tribe. These 30 years have been incredible.” Linda’s still at it, too. She’ll lead ESC’s “Shell 101” at Lemon Bay Fest on February 13 at the Elsie Quirk Library on Dearborn Street.

Reflecting on what keeps ESC going strong, past president Anita Wilson put it simply. “What I love most about ESC is the people. Sure, we’re an environmentally active bunch, but we’ve got artists, science folks, leaders, you name it. Everyone’s willing to share what they know, and because of that, we all grow.”

Curious about joining? Check out englewoodshell.club, find ESC on Facebook, or shoot an email to info@englewoodshell.club. Come see what makes this club something special.

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Location: 335 W Dearborn St, Englewood, FL 34223
When: Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., October through May  

Parking is available on Green Street behind the market and there are more spots nearby! Plus, while you’re here, take advantage of Historic Dearborn Street’s charming shops and restaurants.

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FDOT’s already laying the groundwork. The first phase covers airports stretching from Daytona Beach, through Orlando, all the way to Sarasota. They’re not stopping there, either. In the next few months, FDOT plans to set up a headquarters in Polk County to run this aerial highway network and put the tech through its paces.

There’s still a lot to figure out, and nobody’s saying what a ride will cost yet, or exactly which aircraft the FAA will greenlight. But officials are aiming high. They expect flights over the I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando to go live by the end of 2026. SunTrax in Auburndale is right at the heart of this, leading research and development for the project.

“We’re in the era of flying cars—think of it as an air Uber or air taxi,” says FDOT’s chief of staff, Jessica Ottaviano. The big idea? Cut down traffic jams along Florida’s busiest highways. The pilot program starts simple with one main route connecting major cities. If it works, they’ll connect Miami, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Fort Myers, and more.

Ottaviano adds, “This will be the first facility in the country focusing on both modes of transportation in one spot, letting us really home in on transportation tech and research.”

These new electric aircraft, called eVTOLs, short for electric vertical takeoff and landing, are built for short hops, carrying a handful of passengers at a time. Riders will board at vertiports, set up around the state. The goal? Become the first profitable commercial flying taxi service in the country, maybe even the world.

eVTOLs use distributed electric motors for quiet, efficient vertical flight. They’re greener than helicopters, flying lower than most planes (about 1,500 to 4,000 feet) and cutting commute times by skipping ground traffic. Companies like Archer (with their Midnight model), Joby, and Lilium are racing to get FAA approval. It’s not all smooth flying—battery technology and infrastructure still need work.

No word yet on how much a trip will set you back. FDOT says different companies will set their own prices, so riders can compare and pick the best deal once the service launches.

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According to the complaint filed October 31 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the Zieglers accuse Detectives Angela Cox and Maria Llovio of conducting an “egregious abuse of power” that included obtaining overbroad search warrants, seizing private communications, and omitting exculpatory evidence from judicial review.

The lawsuit states that Sarasota police “downloaded the entirety of Mr. Ziegler’s cell phone,” accessing more than 470,000 photos and 30,000 videos, including confidential marital and attorney-client communications. The Zieglers allege this violated their rights under the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments.

Bridget Ziegler, a Sarasota County School Board member and co-founder of Moms for Liberty, claims the couple’s private messages were unlawfully included in police reports that later became public. “It is as if the Defendants intentionally did an end-run around the Constitution and state law,” the complaint states.

The lawsuit recounts that in October 2023, police opened a sexual assault investigation against Christian Ziegler after a woman accused him of misconduct. Within days, police learned of a video Ziegler said cleared him of wrongdoing. The suit claims detectives knew about the video but still executed a sweeping search warrant. “The exculpatory nature of the video was immediately apparent to everyone who viewed it,” the filing says.

The State Attorney’s Office declined to file charges in March 2024. By then, Christian Ziegler had resigned as chair of the Republican Party of Florida, and both plaintiffs say they suffered severe professional and reputational harm.

The couple is seeking compensatory damages for attorney’s fees and lost wages, as well as punitive damages for “mental anguish, pain and suffering, and humiliation and embarrassment.” The City of Sarasota and the detectives have not yet filed a response. A spokesperson for the Sarasota Police Department declined to comment on pending litigation.

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Steven Charles Whitney, born March 16, 1978, was taken into custody in Eugene, Oregon, following a coordinated investigation between the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Eugene Police Department (EPD).

Whitney was wanted in Florida on three active felony warrants, including one connected to a 2022 incident in Punta Gorda in which he allegedly chased and shot at a group of teenagers before fleeing the state. Authorities said he had been using fake identification cards and switching vehicle license plates to avoid detection by license plate reader systems.

According to CCSO, detectives recently determined that Whitney was hiding in Eugene. After verifying his presence, EPD obtained warrants for his arrest and for a search of the home where he was staying. When officers attempted to serve the warrants, Whitney barricaded himself inside the residence for several hours before surrendering peacefully.

During the search, investigators reportedly found multiple fake IDs, about 15 pounds of marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms and several firearms. EPD charged Whitney with multiple new felonies and said he will be extradited back to Charlotte County after those charges are resolved, a process that could take years.

“This individual has been ducking law enforcement for far too long, and now his luck has finally run out,” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “I want to recognize my team for their diligence, locating him more than 3,000 miles away. It proves that if you commit a violent crime in Charlotte County, we will not stop until we find you and hold you accountable, no matter where you hide. Thank you to our brothers in blue in Eugene, Oregon, for helping to get this dangerous criminal back behind bars where he belongs.”

Whitney’s Charlotte County charges include:

• Failure to appear (two counts)
• Violation of pre-trial release (aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, three counts)
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Fleeing to elude
• Resisting arrest
• Driving with a suspended or revoked license
• DUI, third offense

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Officials advise charging these devices outdoors on a flat, dry surface away from direct sunlight, moisture, children, and tripping hazards. They also recommend ensuring the e-bike or scooter is secure and will not fall over while charging. These simple but effective measures can significantly reduce the risk of a battery fire. For more fire safety tips, residents are encouraged to follow the Englewood Fire District’s Facebook page for ongoing updates and community announcements.

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The aquarium will include three STEM teaching labs and five workforce training labs where guests can watch scientists and students working on marine ecology, coral genetics, aquaculture, robotics and other fields. Mote expects more than 70,000 K-12 students from Sarasota, Manatee and nearby counties to take part in hands-on learning annually, including more than 26,000 Title 1 students at no cost.

Founded in 1955 in Placida by ichthyologist Eugenie Clark, Mote has grown into one of the world’s most prominent independent marine research institutions, with nine campuses across Florida and programs on every continent. President and CEO Michael P. Crosby said the new aquarium represents more than an attraction, calling it a hub for research, science education and community engagement.

For more information, visit https://mote.org/aquarium/sea-visitor-information/.

Tickets for the grand opening event and for general admission after October 8 are available at mote.org/tickets.

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The Sarasota County Unified Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group, which includes the cities of Sarasota, Venice and North Port, the Town of Longboat Key, and community partners, is updating its plan to strengthen resilience through projects that address risks such as flooding, hurricanes and other natural hazards.

Residents can provide feedback now through September 24 by completing a survey about their concerns, vulnerabilities and the types of projects they want to see in action. The survey can be accessed here

Survey responses will help the working group develop a comprehensive plan that will be submitted for approval by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Once approved, the plan will be adopted by the Sarasota County Commission.

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